ST. PETERSBURG — Rays right-hander Chris Archer was doomed by a slow start in Sunday’s 5-3 loss against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.
But the way Archer finished?
“Awesome … phenomenal … dominant,” Rays catcher Hank Conger said.
After allowing four straight Toronto base runners in the first inning, which produced a 2-0 deficit on Edwin Encarnacion’s two-run single, Archer began locating his fastball and became nearly untouchable.
Archer struck out 12 of the last 18 batters he faced before being lifted after the fifth inning.
He’s the first major-league pitcher to have a 12-strikeout performance on Opening Day since 2007 (Seattle’s Felix Hernandez).